001: the category that always gets me going: interiors
And the women that make me.
There’s one category that ties together most of my interests and where I inevitably land: interiors. It’s always the final stop for me. The be-all and end-all. Interiors give me a tingle, and hopefully, one day, I’ll make it a part of my many trades. 👷🏻♀️
As a self-pledged digital girl, spaces—whether commercial or home—will always be it. One constant thread I pull from other aesthetic choices is raw materials. I love the sensuality of stone, the shine of metal (which translates so easily into fashion), the smoothness of a great rug, or the matte finish of a wooden floor. Long stretches of pure, unpolished material always catch my eye. And colour—I really do love colour.
In my first Substack post (!), I’m sharing my favorite ways to compose a home—from colours to materials—while trying to pin down my three defining words (inspired by that famous fashion exercise). Whether it’s a rug, a new painting, or even a wall colour, I hope these ideas inspire you too.
disclaimer: this post might be cut off in emails.
stainless steel kitchens
The heart of the home, my dream kitchen is stainless steel. It’s not a choice everyone loves, but I’m drawn to its shine, smoothness, and the attention it demands. She’s a show-stopper, and she’s so hot. My favorite is Reform’s Reflect kitchen design, created by Paris-based designer Jean Nouvel. It’s made from durable steel with vertical ridges, hitting just the right balance and looking amazing with wood. Truly, the stuff dreams are made of. 😮💨
—Mental note: a good compromise would be to add shelves like these:
colour: drenching and blocking
I love color in two ways, and this applies to most things in my life: by drenching a room in it or by adding a big block of color. (A little nuanced detail goes a long way, too.) This means I’m not a fan of feature color walls but would rather see the whole room painted in one shade for maximum impact. Lisbon, and Portugal in general, is still quite shy when it comes to coloring rooms, as the city’s light plays perfectly with true white walls. But we’re starting to see more color making its way into homes (and commercial spaces), which is great.
My favorite example is Garcé & Dimofski’s gallery home in Lisbon, where they painted the hallway a deep brownish-red that subtly reflects into the other rooms. I love the idea of stepping into the house and being greeted by this cozy, warm space, and I hope to replicate it one day.
Another home I love is Lykke Li’s. Her one-green-shade home is a masterpiece. I wouldn’t go this far, but her room and boldness really speak to me.
In my own home, I have two pops of royal blue, one of my favourite colours, that make all the difference: a painting my sister and I did together, and my bed cover from Hay.
These kitchen and bathroom spaces in my other favourite colour are great examples of how colour can totally transform a space.
And last but not least, two dreamy pink spaces: the home of Luís Barragán in Mexico City, which I can’t wait to visit, and Menez in Porto, every girl’s dream florist.
stone: as surface or decor
I find it hard to beat the luxury of veiny stone. I think most of us, thanks in part to Athena Calderone’s kitchen that skyrocketed her career, are weak for a thick slab of marble and wouldn’t bat an eye if we ever had the opportunity to choose it. My relationship with stone has evolved as I’ve explored more design options, but I’d always come back to it.
Here are a few projects and objects I’ve returned to recently:
Sally Rizzon’s Lisbon kitchen ticks so many boxes for me—stainless steel, Portuguese Lioz marble. It’s a beauty. (Also eyeing up that white cabbage).
Troye Sivan’s house in Melbourne, designed by Flack Studio, is still so hot and full of stunning marble details.
Lykke Li, once again, with my dream coffee table.
I mean, look at her.
And the iconic Serralves bathroom, designed by Alfred Porteneuve, the nephew and student of the master Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann. If you’re ever there and the door is closed, try your luck and ask to see it!
I could go on, but I’ll stop here, with my three final words: bold, minimal, and sleek. I’m encouraging you (and myself) to go overboard—paint a room, add colour to your kitchen, and if you're in a lucky position, choose vibrant tiles. Do as little as adding a colourful frame, painting your own artwork, or making a colourful mug—anything to brighten your day.
noteworthy mentions:
Really enjoyed Phoebe’s take on interior design money-savers that actually look better;
Most of Modern Home’s videos;
Noah Daniels’ channel—love his way of depicting a space;
Frama CPH for inspiration;
wishlist
These stunning Murano glasses by Alex Eagle, which I've been lusting over for years, cost an arm and a leg (or a kidney in PT). Maybe one day, if I'm ever near Murano again, I can find them for a fair, direct-from-the-maker price.
the women that make me
Finally, because my taste and standards are largely shaped by the incredible women around me, here are links to some of them with an online presence you can benefit from. 💌
Mónica Bozinoski, Nobody is Reading This
Mónica is one of my closest friends for many reasons. Wise, intelligent, and thoughtful, she has an extraordinary ability to analyze human behavior with a witty and humorous sprinkle of pop culture, both online and offline. Her newsletter is a gift to many, myself included. With honest, insightful takes and fantastic references to other essays, her writing flows effortlessly, and I’m sure it resonates with many. Since I can’t choose a favorite one, I highly recommend reading them all.
Joana Moreira, here and here
Another one of my closest friends, Joana is our pride and joy. Currently the Culture Journalist at Observador, trust this lady to bring and dissect the current affairs we should all be discussing, with the utmost respect and ethics. A woman of impeccable taste and a deeply curious eye, she’s the go-to guide for her friends on what’s a must-watch in theatre, cinema, and overall culture in Portugal. Follow her on Instagram, read her articles, and look out for great things from her in the future.
Mariana Matos, Instagram
Another gift to humanity, Mariana’s humor is uncanny and delicioso, just like her work and sense of style. Kind to the core, Mariana’s references never cease to amaze me. From international pop culture, to local references, Mariana is honestly the coolest. Her work at Parlamento is just a glimpse of her incredible capabilities, and I can’t wait to see what she has up her sleeve next. With so much to offer, Mariana is the dream person and professional everyone wishes to have by their side.
Maria Galvão de Sousa, Instagram
Remember this name. My dear friend Maria has been paving her way elegantly in the fashion industry for what feels like forever. A trailblazer in Portugal, Maria has been making her mark in Paris for three years (already?) at Karla Otto, doing the work of dreams, work with substance. She’s truly one of a kind—an incredible inspiration with exceptional taste, an eye for detail, and unmatched industry knowledge and stance. The only downside is that we don’t get enough of her online.
Carine Lucas, TikTok
Carine is a powerhouse boss lady and a dear friend I've been incredibly lucky to get to know better. Co-founder extraordinaire of StudioRise, Carine single-handedly changed the way people perceive and engage with fitness in Lisbon. As a freelance creative brand strategist, she just gets it, and every time she posts one of her TikToks sharing her influences and references, I’m like yes, yes, yes! Follow her to keep up with whats relevant, here and everywhere.
Beatriz Faria Ribeiro, Instagram
My twin flame, Bea is the star behind Menez, your favorite dream girl’s favorite florist. But Bea doesn’t stop there; she’s also a talented set designer, art director, and visual merchandiser—an all-around dream. Her aesthetic always takes me to unknown places I wouldn’t normally venture, and I grow with it each time. She’s the perfect English rose and one of our best talents.
Lastly, thank you for being here!! Follow me here for more similar visuals.
Love This!
So good! Frama CPH is forever inspo